Lucanus elaphus larvae shouldn't be hard to raise at all with the right care. The adults are somewhat fragile thought.A friend of mine who is a very experienced breeder has told me that Lucanus mazama is one of the easiest stags to raise. Peter and others will probably have larvae available in the fall. (bugsincyberspace.com). I know that Peter will also have Luncanus elaphus but not sure if that is considered easy or hard.